[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 189 (Monday, December 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H14846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF EDWARD JOSEPH KELLY III

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise with a very sad duty 
today. As the chairwoman of the Transportation Security and 
Infrastructure Protection Committee on Homeland Security, I rise to pay 
tribute to the late Edward Joseph Kelly III, who passed away this 
month.
  He was born October 1, 1942, in New York. He joined the Navy and 
served his country and graduated from the University of Scranton in 
1967, and he retired as vice president and controller of Emery 
Worldwide in 2000.
  He truly is an American hero, for after 9/11 he could not sit still. 
In response to that horrific tragedy, Mr. Kelly left retirement to join 
the Department of Homeland Security, signing on as the first general 
manager of the air cargo security for the Federal Transportation 
Security Administration, whose mission is securing the Nation's 
transportation network.
  Air cargo industry officials have indicated and gone on record to say 
he transformed the industry. If future airline passengers feel safe 
about what is carried in the belly of a cargo plane, then they should 
credit Mr. Kelly. Officials who worked with him said that he was an 
impeccable professional. He loved this country. Yes, a Navy man. And 
the president of the Cargo Security Alliance said that he was front and 
center on this work.
  Madam Speaker, his contributions were immeasurable. He is a great 
American hero. I pay tribute to this distinguished American, Edward 
Joseph Kelly III. Thank you, and may you rest in peace.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to take this time to commemorate the life of a 
great American, and an outstanding public servant--Edward Joseph Kelly 
III, who died Saturday at Inova Alexandria Hospital of Legionnaires' 
pneumonia.
  He was born Oct. 1, 1942, in New York, the third child and oldest son 
of the late Edward and Jessie Cobane Kelly. Mr. Kelly completed service 
in the Navy before graduating from the University of Scranton in 1967, 
and retired as vice president and controller of Emery Worldwide in 
2000.
  In response to 9/11, Mr. Kelly left retirement to join the Department 
of Homeland Security, signing on as the first general manager of air 
cargo security for the Federal Transportation Security Administration, 
whose mission is securing the Nation's transportation network.
  Air cargo industry officials have gone on record saying he had 
transformed their industry. If future airline passengers feel secure 
that the commercial cargo in the belly of their flight will not blow up 
or poison them, they should credit Mr. Kelly, officials said. Walt 
Beadling, president of the Cargo Security Alliance, a trade group, told 
reporters ``He's been front and center in this work of implementing the 
plan to secure air cargo.'' Acting TSA administrator Gale D. Rossides 
wrote in an e-mail to employees, ``Ed's contributions to TSA are 
immeasurable.''
  He was responsible for implementing a Federal law that requires 
screening of all cargo transported by flights originating in the United 
States by next August. The voluntary system established by Mr. Kelly 
and his team shifted screening responsibility to shippers before cargo 
reach airports. TSA certifies shippers and their facilities.
  His friendships span the globe. He and his wife, Ann, enjoyed a 
network of family and friends on many continents and most loved 
returning home to Lake Ariel and Ireland. He loved the sea and spent 
his early retirement years traveling by boat from San Francisco, to 
Newport, R.I. On this trip, he and Ann bravely cruised the Pacific 
coasts of California, Mexico and Central America, passed through the 
Panama Canal into the Atlantic and crossed the Caribbean Sea.
  He is survived by his wife and three sons, Edward IV and wife, 
Sasithorn, Bangkok, Thailand; Packy and wife, Robyn, Redwood Shores, 
Calif.; and Daniel and wife, Crissy, Fairfield, Conn.; three sisters, 
Maureen Kelly Dufour, Kathleen Kelly Hoban and Rosemary Kelly Morgan; 
three grandchildren, Devin, Mairead and Catherine; several nieces and 
nephews.
  That is why I stand here today--to offer my condolences to Mr. 
Kelly's family, and gratitude for his public service.

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